Asia-ISU-Spring2012 - Thailand Geography

Thailand Geography

Photo courtesy of Symbiosis Custom Travel

Topography

Thailand borders Cambodia, Myanmar, and Malaysia. Its coast line is surrounded by the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand.
It is divided into four regions: North, Northeastern, Central, and Southern plains.
Northern Thailand contains many mountains and the highest point of 2,576 meters belongs to Mount Doi Inthanon.
Natural forests, alluvial valleys, and ridges also make up Northern Thailand.
Central Thailand or the "Heart of Thailand" is made up of a very fertile valley. The capitol of Thailand, Bangkok, is located here.
Northeastern Thailand is covered in mostly flat plateaus, rolling plateaus and borders the Mekong River.
Beaches surround the Southern region along with river valleys and jungles.

Koh Tao Beach. Photo courtesy of Thailand Wallpapers

Climate

The Northern temperatures are very cool.
The Northeaster climate is extremely harsh. Floods and droughts are very common.
Mostly hot and dry weather makes up the Central region.
During November to March, it is the hottest season. This makes Thailand's beaches a vital place for a tourist to visit.
Southern Thailand's climate is made up for the dry and wet seasons. Monsoons bring horrible rains during the wet seasons

Hot and Dry seasons in Thailand.Photo courtesy of Travel in Thailand

Animals

Tigers, Leopards, Black Bears, and Elephants are the most well known animals that live in Thailand.
Over 850 species of birds also live here.
Many animal populations are reducing fast as the the rain forests are being destroyed and poachers are killing the animals illegally.

Photo courtesy of Safari World-Thai Blogs

Resources

Fruits such as apples, peaches, and strawberries grow in the Northern region.
Central Thailand is the biggest rice producing region in the country and is called "The Rice Bowl of Asia".
Northeastern region of Thailand is culturally rich and diverse.
The South is known for its rich deposits of ores and minerals and being the center of rubber production.
Also, tropical crops are gathered the most in the Southern region.
Waste management, poachers, deforestation, soil erosion, and water and air pollution are serious environmental issues that occur.

Photos courtesy of prasoudadietreviewblog.com, Thailandtimes.asia, and minresco.com